Stapling machine



Oct. 31, 1961 J. M. KIRToN summe MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 .Filed Feb. 12. 1959 JOSEPH MASON KIRTON BY @Ww/a2@ HIS ATTORNEY Oct. 31, 1961 J. M. KIRToN 3,005,988

STAPLING MACHINE Filed Feb. 12, 1959 4 SheetsfSheet 2 INVENT OR. JOSEPH MASON KIRTON BY @fww HIS ATTORNEY Oct. 3l, 1961 J. M. KIRTON STAPLING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 12. 1959 FIG.7

INVENTOR, JOSEPH MASON K [j IRTON BY n W TORNEY Oct. 31, 1961 J. M. KIRToN STAPLING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. l2. 1959 INVENTOR. SON

JOSEPH MA )I TON BY l ATT RNEY United States Patent O 3,005,988 STAPLING MACHINE Joseph M. Kir-ton, 1534 North 400 West, Bountiful, Utah Filed Feb. 12, 1959, Ser. No. 792,776 1 Claim. (Cl. 1-49) This invention relates to machines for stapling down lled, cardboard packing boxes preparatory to shipment, for example, and more particularly to improve stapling machine of the actuated anvil type which will be highly reliable, exhibit positive clutch engagement action, and incorporate necessary safety features to ensure long life of the machine.

Stapling machines of the actuated anvil type are not new. By the phrase actuated anvil" is meant that type of stapling machine in which a pair of anvil lingers are actuated to pierce the exterior of a cardboard box to be stapled and then to crimp down the staple ends on the other side thereof so as to avoid having an otherwise necessary anvil backing to accomplish the staple crimping function. Attempts have been made to adapt the actuated anvil type of stapling machines for electrical operation. None to the inventors knowledge have proven very satisfactory. This results for a number of reasons. In the first place, sufficient safety features to render the equipment of long life are lacking in existing machines. Furthermore, the suiciently positive clutch engagement for the machine as is exhibited by the present machine is not found in prior machines. Through repeated tests the inventor has discovered that the machine which is the subject of the present invention has a useful life considerably longer than that of the existing machines.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrically operated stapling machine of the actuated anvil type, with the machine exhibiting a long, useful life and positive stapling action.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a staple cartridge suitable for such a type of machine.

According to the present invention a stapling machine includes two, series-coupled clutch mechanisms. One of the clutch mechanisms is (or may be) a fraction clutch designed to prevent damage to the equipment through overload when, for example, a hard metal or other object may inadvertently find its way in between the anvil lingers of the machine. The other clutch mechanism employed in the machine is of a distinctive type, having a positive action particularly suitable for the present machine and exhibiting both single cycle and double half-cycle characteristics. This is to say, the clutch mechanism exhibits, alternatively, both characteristics, the tirst when the machine is operated normally by the operator depressing the linger lever or switch for but an instant, and the second when the switch is inadvertently held down for more than a 180 rotation of the clutch apparatus.

Gear reduction means are provided in the equipment so that a high torque, low r.p.m. output is provided.

The stapler cartridge design for the machine is of a front end load type and is provided with means for retaining the staples in place preparatory to the insertion of the cartridge in the stapling machine receptacle provided therefor.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE l is a right side elevation of the stapling machine according to the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged elevation of the left-hand side of the stapling machine shown in FIGURE l, with the left-hand side cover plate removed and the removable handle-half broken away for purposes of clarity.

FIGURE 3 is a view of the friction clutch and worm assembly, disposed on the right side of the housing, and partially illustrated in FIGURE 2.

FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 are front, front and side elevations, respectively. of the component parts of the second clutch, a positive acting, ratchet-type clutch, employed in the invention, the components of the inner clutch member shown in FIGURE 5 being shown partially exploded in FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 7 is an elevation of the two element mechanism which, upon actuation of the linger switch in FIGURE 2, coacts with the clutch pawl of the inner clutch member (illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6) so as to produce a desired result.

FIGURE 8 is an inside elevation of the front plate of the stapling machine, illustrating the configuration of the anvil work members and their associated arms.

FIGURE 9 is a front elevation of the machine with the cover plate of FIGURE 8 removed.

FIGURES l0 and 11 illustrate front and side elevations of an alternate form of an anvil work member of the stapler.

FIGURE 12 is a top plan of the stapler cartridge employed in the present invention.

FIGURE 13 is a view taken along the line 13-13 in FIGURE 12 and illustrating the cylindrical actuator seat bracket of the staple cartridge.

FIGURE 14 is a section taken along the line 14-14 in FIGURE l2.

FIGURE l5 is a vertical section taken along the line 15-15 in FIGURE 12 and illustrates the staple control mechanism of the cartridge.

In FIGURE l the stapler of the present invention is shown to consist of a motor 10, a housing 11 including a handle portion 12, a pair of side plates 13 and 14 secured to the housing 11 by means of screws 15 (see also FIG- URE 9 forl end views of the two side plates 13 and 14), a stapler cartridge receptacle 16 and a staple cartridge I7 releasably received therewithin.

ln considering FIGURE 2 with FIGURE l it is seen there is provided a pair of handle halves I8 and 19, both of the same being molded and the former being made integral with housing 11. The handle half 19 adjoins the housing 11 at junctures 20 and 2l and is secured to the remaining handle half 18 by means of screws 22 or other suitable attachments. A miniature switch 23 is secured within the handle by means of screws 24 and is of the normally-open electrical type. Hand-operated switch lever 25 is secured at one end by pivot screw 26 and in cludes rear portion 27 which is disposed in engagement with conventional, spring-biased button 28 of the miniature switch 23. It will be noted with reference to FIG- URE 2 that the normally open switch 23 is disposed in a series relationship between the power source and the motor l0 to which the leads 29 and 30 connect. Accordingly, the switch 23 is inserted in conventional manner in the lead 30 to accomplish this result. Thus, when the cord 31 is coupled to a suitable power source, the motor will not become energized until the switch lever 25 is depressed by the palm or heel of the operators hand. This saves motor wear, accomplishing as it does a completely deenergized system even though it is connected to a power source until, of course, the operator depresses switch lever 25 so as to close switch 23.

Shaft 32 of motor 10 is provided with a worm 33 (shown cut away to reveal its wonn wheel 34) which is secured to the shaft by a pin, Woodruff key or other conventional means. The worm 33 is disposed in engagement with worm wheel 34, the latter being shown in FIGURE 2 and also in FIGURE 3. Turning now to FIGURE 3 in particular it is seen that worm wheel 34 which cooperates with worm 33 is revolvably disposed about the cylindrical shank 35 of the principle member 36 of clutch 37. Clutch 37 is a friction-type clutch including, in addition to principal member 36, a pair of lock (or locked) nuts 38' and 38 which are threaded onto the threaded end portion 39 of the principle member 36 and a circular spring 40. lf desired, a fiber washer may be disposed between spring 40 and upper surface 41 of worm wheel 34. Thus, spring 40, or the fiber washer if used, is disposed in frictional engagement with the side 41 of worm wheel 40. The remaining surface of worm wheel 40, i.e. surface 42, is disposed in engagement with the upper surface 43 of base portion 44, of principal member 36. The principal member 36 is pinned or otherwise keyed to the central shaft 45, the latter being iournaled within bushings 46 and 47 disposed in bosses 48 and 49 of housing 11.

Clutch 37, associated with worm wheel 34, is a necessary safety feature supplied in the stapler design, preventing damage to the equipment should a piece of metal (or any other hard object) find its way in between the anvil fingers of the machine during machine operation.

Also pinned to shaft 15 is worm 50. This worm is disposed in engagement with worm wheel 51 in FIGURE 2 which includes a spacer portion 53. Worm wheel 5l is free to rotate about its shaft 54. Shaft 54 is journaled in bushing inserts 55 and 56 which are set into the housing proper.

The worm wheel 51 and its associated clutch apparatus is illustrated in FIGURES 4, 5 and 6, in addition to FIG- URE 2. Secured to the worm wheel is an outer clutch member 57, such securement being accomplished by Allen screws 58 or similar means. The outer clutch member is circular and includes a central open area which, with the backing of worm wheel 51 forms a depression 59. A cross section of the depression 59 resembles a polygon having arcuate, convex sides 70 of equal dimension. Disposed within this depression 59, as may be seen with reference to FIGURE 2, is an inner clutch member 60, the same being shown in FIGURES 5 and 6. Inner clutch member 60 includes a clutch pawl 61 having a pawl portion 62, a clutch contact edge 63, a body portion 64 and a pin portion 65. The pin portion 65 is disposed through cooperating aperture 66' of plate 66. Thus, the clutch pawl 61 is pivotal in such a manner that it may be urged against compression spring 67 or may be forced outwardly thereby as shown. Cornpression spring 67 is disposed within spring depressions 67' and 67" provided in the adjacent sides of the clutch pawl 61 and principal member 68, respectively, in FIG- URE 6. The inner clutch member 60 is mounted to the shaft 54 by a pin (not shown) or other suitable means disposed through one of the apertures 69 in principal member 68. Thus, when the inner clutch member 60 is inserted within depression 59 in the manner indicated in FIGURE 2, then it will be seen that when clutch pawl 61 is urged (by external means) against compression spring 67, the inner clutch member 60 will be free to rotate within depression 59 of outer clutch member 57. When, however, external pressure is removed from clutch pawl 61 so as to allow compression spring 67 to urge the clutch pawl 61 outwardly, then the clutch contact edge 63 of FIGURE 6 will come in contact with one of the arcuate, convex sides 70 of depression 59, will travel therealong to the nearest vertex 7l and there stop. Accordingly, further'rotation of motor shaft 32 (and ultimately of worm wheel 31) will produce a corresponding rotation in inner clutch member 60 and the shaft 54.

Before the mechanism which actuates the clutch pawl 61 in FIGURE 5 is discussed, it will be well to consider the shaft 54 and its rotation, together with the action that is produced thereby. Mounted to shaft 54 is a wheel 73 (see FIGURES 2 and 9) which carries an eccentric pin 74. This eccentric pin 74 in FIGURE 9 is shown to ride within a horizontal slot 75 disposed in the head portion 76 of slide member 77. The slide member 77 includes slide portion 78 which is recessed with respect to head portion 76 for clearance of parts, and thus, if desired, may be formed by two parts 77' and 77" spotwelded together. The slide member 77 travels up and down, in between slide rails 79 which are secured to the housing 1l by screws 80 or other conventional means. The function of slide member 77is to urge the head of staples coming into alignment therebelow through the corrugated box material to be stapled and to retain the same in position until the staples are crimped on the other side in a manner hereinafter to be described. Front plate 81 in FIGURE 8 tits over the apparatus shown in FIGURE 9 and is provided with a pair of pivot pins 82 and 83 which mount anvil work members 84 and 85 thereto. Anvil work members 84 and 85 are of a sandwich construction having front and rear plates 86 and 87 and tller plate 88, the latter being provided so as to provide movement areas for arms 89 and 90. The two anvil work members include anvil lingers 91 and 92 which, when advancing inwardly, serve to crimp the positioned staple by thrusting the staple ends upwardly and together. Pivotally mounted by means of pins 93 and 94 to anvil work members 84 and 85 are the work arms 89 and 90, previously mentioned, the same having in their upper extremities a respective aperture 95 and 96 which are provided for the pins 97 and 98 (see FIGURE 9) of slide member 77. Thus, when the wheel 73 in FIG- URE 9 revolves by virtue of the turning of shaft 54 (FIGURES 2, 9), the pin 74 will also revolve and in doing so urge downwardly the slide member 77. This results in the edge 97 of slide member 77 advancing toward a primed staple in a position therebelow; also, by virtue of the connection of pins 97 and 98 with arms 89 and 90, the anvil lingers 91 and 92 are now urged together to crimp inwardly the staple ends after the staple has been inserted. llhus, when the clutch C in FIGURES 2 and 4-6 is in engagement, then the shaft 54 will rotate so as to produce the above described action of slide member 77 and the anvil work members 84 and 85. Of course, once the eccentric pin 74 reaches the downward extremity and travels upwardly, the slide member 77 is automatically withdrawn, as will also be anvil fingers 91 and 92 in FIGURE 8.

'Ihere remains to be considered the manner in which the clutch components illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 4-6 are urged into engagement.

The actuating mechanism for the clutch above mentioned is shown in FIGURES 2 and 7. A-lever 98 is provided with a central aperture 99 through which a pivot pin or screw 100 is placed, pivotally anchoring the same to the housing 11. This lever 98 is provided with clevis ends 101 and 102 having apertures 101' and 102' at the ends thereof, the former being pinned to mounting gear 103 of dog member 104 and the latter providing connection for actuating wire 105 thereto by means of screw 106 and nut 107 in FIGURES 2 and 9. The dog member 104 in FIGURE 7 includes a central, elongate aperture 108 which is disposed within annular recess R of spacer S in FIGURE 2. A pair of dogs 109 and 110 protrude inwardly as shown in FIGURES 2 and 7 so as to come into selective engagement with the clutch pawl 61 in FIGURES 2 and 4. Wire 105 is ioined to linger lever 111 which is finger actuated and biased by spring 112, the latter having handle seat 113 and lever pin 114 positioning the same. The dimensions of the dog member 104 in FIGURE 7 are such that when the operator is not depressing the linger lever 111, the dog engages clutch pawl 61 so as to urge the same against the compression spring 67 to the end that the inner clutch member 60 readily rotates within depression 59 of outer clutch member 57. Thus, the rnere ocairrence of motor energization by means of depression or switch lever in FIGURE 2 will not produce rotation of shaft 54. Suppose now that the operator depresses the finger lever 111 in FIGURE 2 and inadvertently keeps it in a depressed condition. In this event, the dog member 104 is urged upwardly so that dog 110 cornes out of engagement with clutch pawl 61. This results in the clutch pawl 61 springing outwardly (to the position shown in FIGURE 4) so as to produce the engagement of contact edge 63 in FIGURE 6 with the outer clutch member at one of the vertices 71 thereof. This produces a rotation of the shaft 54 for 180. Rotation at this point is stopped by reason of the fact that the clutch pawl 61 comes into engagement with dog 109 which is now in line with clutch pawl travel. This engagement produces a compression of the clutch pawl 61 against spring 67 so as to permit the inner clutch member to rotate freely within the depression 59 in FIGURE 4 so as to preclude further operation of the anvil work members 84 and 85 in FIG- URE 8. Hence, the provision of the dog 109 and its selective coaction with clutch pawl 61 is an additional safety feature incorporated in the invention, precluding the inadvertent action of undesired successive stapling merely because the operator inadvertently neglects to remove his tnger from the lever 110. Of course, once his finger is removed, then the clutch pawl 61 will no longer be engaged with dog 109 in FIGURE 2 so that the inner clutch member 60 and the clutch pawl 61 will be allowed to rotate an additional 180 until the clutch pawl comes in contact again with dog 110. If, however, the proper operation of the machine is performed so that the operator merely dpresses for instance the lever 111 in FIG- URE 2, then dog 110 in FIGURE 2 comes out of engagement with clutch pawl 61, allowing the same to pass and, while the latter is rotating, the removal of linger pressure from finger lever 111 returns the dogs 109 and 110 to their original position shown in FIGURE 2 so that clutch pawl 61 will slip over and past dog 109 and a cour plete 360 rotation will be achieved. The clutch pawl of course will stop at this point since here it contacts the dog 110 again. Hence, one cycle is completed. Thus, what in reality is provided is a single-cycle clutch with a two half-cycle safety feature.

The action of friction clutch 37 in FIGURE 3 may now be perceived. Suppose that a piece of metal or some other hard object is inadvertently disposed between the anvil fingers 91 and 92 in FIGURE 8 during the operative cycle of the machine. In such event, the resistance to rotation of the wheel 73 will be transmitted back to the friction clutch 37 in FIGURE 3 so that slippage at the friction clutch will occur either for the duration of persistence of the hard obiect between the anvil lingers or, assuming full-cycle operation, until the pin 74 in FIG- URE 9 resumes its uppermost position.

FIGURES l0 and 1l illustrate that, rather than have the anvil fingers 91 and 92 in FIGURE 8 comprise separate parts which are spot-welded or otherwise afixed to the front plate of the work member, the front plate 86 itself, shown as 86' in FIGURES 10 and l1, may include the anvil finger 92', with the latter formed as a protruberance therefrom in a manner illustrated in the FIGURES l0 and 1l. In this way the fabrication and attachment of a separate anvil linger part is avoided. While FIG- URES l0 and ll illustrate the anvil work member of the right-hand side of the machine, it will be understood that the corresponding work member on the left-hand side is constructed in the same manner.

In FIGURES 12-15 is illustrated the staple cartridge 17 of FIGURE 1, the same having 'front and rear ends 149 and 150 and including an outer channel member 115 having sides 115' and inwardly turned, top flanges 116 and 117. Spot-welded to the base 118 of channel member 115 is the base 119 of a U-conlgured inner channel member 119 the sides 120 and 121 of which are disposed immediately below (or thereabouts) the ends of outer channel anges 116 and 117. Channel section pusher 122 is disposed in the configuration and condition shown inFIGURE14soastobeabletoslideinbetweenthe two channel members and 119. The top 123 and side tanges 123' of pusher 122 urge the staples forwardly into operative condition beneath edge 97 of slide member 77 in FIGURE 9.

Dependingly attached to the top of 123 of pusher 122 is a bracket 124 the vertical flange 125 of which is provided with a central aperture 126 to accommodate the location therethrough of actuating rod 127. 'l'he oompression spring 128 circumscribes the rod 127, with the spring ends butting against the base 129 of actuating cylinder 130 and the pusher bracket flange 125. The end 133 of the -rod 127 is or may be tapered; immediately anterior of this tapered end the rod passes through an aperture 134 of vertical ange 135, of end bracket 136. This end bracket 136 may be spot-welded at its base 137 to the base 119' of channel member 119. End flange 138 protrude: upwardly so as to provide a front end for the staple cartridge. It does not extend beyond the outer periphery of the inner channel so as to impede staple travel, however.

Spotwe1ded or otherwise aixed to the base 137 of end bracket 136 is a staple retainer 139, the same being composed of resilient material (or being pivoted and spring biased) and having a shoulder 140 with the adjacent curved area 141 being inclined upwardly to the right so as to preclude interference of the shoulder with the staples passing thereover during machine operation.

The configuration of the cylindrical actuator 130 and actuator seat bracket 142 remain to be discussed. The actuator 130 is hollow, as shown in FIGURE 12, so as to provide admittance therethrough of the spring 128. The forward end of actuator 130 has a shoulder 143 which contacts the base 144 of bracket 142 at phantom line 143', as shown in FIGURE 13. An aperture 145 provides a seat for the shoulder 143 so as to prevent the actuator from being translated out of aperture 145 by the compression spring 128. However, the principal body 146 of actuating cylinder 130 is of a size to permit easy movement (to the right) through the aperture 145 in bracket 142. Lastly, the end flanges 147 and 148 of actuator seat bracket 142 are spot-welded or otherwise affixed at A and B in FIGURE 12 to the outer channel member 115 as shown.

In considering the operation of the staple cartridge 117 it will first be supposed that the cartridge is empty and that staple loading is desired. In such event, the operator merely inserts the actuating cylinder 130 forwardly through the aperture 145 in bracket 142. This results in the end 133 of the rod 127 moving forwardly in its contact with staple retainer 139 so as to depress retainer shoulder 140 thereof beneath the top portions of the inserted staples. Subsequently, one or more sticks of preformed staples are inserted at the front end 149 o1 the cartridge, these staples forcing the pusher 122 rearwardly while at the same time keeping the shoulder 140 of staple retainer 139 down below the staples. Thus, immediately upon the preliminary insertion of a stick of staples over retainer 139 the actuating cylinder may be allowed to assume its rest position with shoulder 143 against seat bracket -142 as shown in FIGURE l2. Further additional loading will not require re-actuation of actuator 130 so long as some of the staples in the cartlrgdge yet remain over the end of retain' er 139 in FIGURE When cartridge is loaded to a desirable degree, then the last staple inserted is manually urged by thumb pres. sure slightly to the left of the front end of the cartridge so as to permit the shoulder 140 of the resilient retainer 139 to engage the same at the forward edge thereof, thereby preventing staples from being moved forwardly by pusher 122 and spring 128 until such is desired. The cartridgeistheninsertedasshowninFlGUREland is held in place by the pivotal actuation (about pivot fastener 144) of channel lock L which serves to hold ears 146 within spaces 147; subsequently, actuating rod 127 is momentarily urged forward to depress retainer 139 forwardly so as to permit the staples to advance to the front in operative position. At this point, the stapling machine is ready for operation by the trigger or trigger lever 111 as hereinbefore described.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in the appended claim is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

lFor use with stapling machines, a front end load type staple cartridge having front and rear ends and including, in combination, an outer channel member having a base, a pair of upwardly extending, vertical sides integral with said base, and a pair of top anges respectfully integral with said sides, said top anges being oriented toward each other; an inner channel member disposed 'within said outer channel member and having a base medially axed to said outer channel member base and a pair of upwardly extending, vertical sides spaced from said outer channel member sides and from said outer channel member top tlanges to form a staple travel path between the two channel members; an inverted channel section pusher having a top slideably disposed over said inner channel aides and beneath said outer channel top anges and a pair of vertically depending side `flanges disposed in said travel path in between said inner and outer channel manbers; spring means for urging said pusher toward said front end of the cartridge for advancing stored staples theretoward; means for releasably retaining stored staples in position preparatory to insertion of the cartridge into an associated stapling machine; and means including rod means for depressing and thereby releasing said retaining means to permit the stored staples to advance forwardly thereover.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,855,178 Bliss Apr. 26, 1932 2,037,334 Maynard Apr. 14, 1936 2,096,371 Cavanagh Oct. 19, 1937 2,143,121 Cox Ian. l0, 1939 2,150,332 Maynard Mar. 14, 1939 2,176,581 Cavanagh Oct. 17, 1939 2,233,958 Obstfeld Mar. 4, 1941 2,403,222 Howells July 2, 1946 2,650,360 Nardone Sept. l, 1953 2,770,804 Schafroth Nov. 20, 1956 2,773,574 Able Dec. ll, 1956 2,781,515 Iulifs Feb. 19, 1957 2,801,418 Jenny Aug. 6, 1957 

